Surface finishing machine



1944- R. E. PONDER SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1940 ll Sheets-Sheet l v Oct. 3, 1944.

R. E. PONDER SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 /A/)/ENTOBI RAM 1-. Pa/vaER,

Oct. 3, 1944. PQNDER 2,359,488

SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Km E. Pan 0E2,

EZMM/ W R. E. PONDER 2,359,488

SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Oct. 3, 1944.

11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 19, 1940 WWAW Filed Dec. 19, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 a 0 T M 5.0 4 F. 5 M M M KW a w 1 4 I M a 3 c M wmmw M 1 a 6 9 Z w w a Oct. 3, 1944. R E PQNDER 2,359,488

SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1940 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 55 00 5/1705: ,53 Pm E. Fa/vaf/q Oct. 3, 1944. R E PONDER SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Oct. 3, 1944. R. E. PONDER SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1940 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Oct. 3, 1944. E PONDER 2,359,488

SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1940 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 B/ M AW Oct. 3, 1944-. PONDER 2,359,488

Oct. 3, 1944. R, E. PONDER 2,359,488

SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1940 ll Sheets-Sheet 1l //V/ENT0Q RA E4 Pa NOE?) Patented Oct. 3, 1944 SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Ray E. Ponder, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to United Wood Heel Company, St. Louis, Mo., 9. corporation of Delaware Application December 19, 1940, Serial No. 370,771

28 Claims.

This invention relates to surface finishing machines; and has special reference to machines for imparting a surface finish to portions of the outer surfaces or to the entire outer surfaces of shoe heels or other articles.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine having an endless surface finishing belt and mechanisms for operating the same continuously and at effective speed, in cooperation with a resilient backing device for contouring the continuously moving belt complementarily to the sides and back of the heel or other article upon which the belt is operating, mechanism including a work holding jack for picking-off or engaging and moving the work to position for operation of the finishing belt thereon, and mechanism for operating the jack to. turn the article to present the entire outer surface thereof to the belt for finishing action; or, as in the case of heels of certain designs, to present the entire side and rear surfaces thereof to the belt for its effective action to provide the proper surface finish on said side and rear surfaces.

Another object is to provide a machine including a continuously moving finishing belt, and a jack mechanism for holding the heel against said belt, in combination with means for coordinating the operations and movements of the belt and jack mechanism to form continuously and completely finished surfaces on French heels or other heels throughout the sides and rear thereof including the outer surfaces of the forward extensions at the attaching ends of the heels, thereby avoiding subsequent finishingoperations along the outer sides of said extensions.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism for operating the heel holding jack to turn the heel to different positions for operation of the finishing belt thereon to round or spool the lower portions of the corners formed at the intersection of the breast wall of the heel with the lateral sides thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine embodying the foregoing mechanisms, with means for coordinating the operations thereof so that the machine may be operated continuously to form finished surfaces on great quantities of heels of different styles at maximum speed and within a minimum of time.

Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being made to the annexed drawings illustrating a prefered embodiment of the invention and in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine with parts of the casing structure removed.

Fig. 2 is a right-hand side elevation of the machine with parts in section.

Fig. 3 is a left-hand side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the principal portion of the machine, the cover guard being in open position to show the work feeder or holder at the pick-off position of the jack supported and operated thereby.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 and showing the feeder or holder in open position for hand feeding.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 61 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow at 6, showing the feeder or holder in the pick-oil position of the jack.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the same line looking in the direction of the arrow at l and showing the cams for rotating the jack to present the sides and back of a heel to the belt for surface finishing.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing more clearly the means for adjusting the heel holder.

Fig. 9 is a. sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 1 showing the work holding jack and heel therein at the pick-off position of the jack at the top of its stroke.

Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the jack at the discharged position thereof at the bottom of its stroke.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line llH of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the restoring lever for the supporting slide in which the pickoff pivot pin is mounted.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the cam arm for controlling turning movement of a heel jack to present the sides and back of a heel to the finishing belt.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the floating carriage for the pad holder that causes the pad to follow the varying contour of the heelto shape the continuously moving belt to form the proper surface finish.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of one of the end pivot plates for supporting the floating carriage.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view on the line I 6--l 6 of Fig. 2, showing the means for adjusting the feed holder properly in relation to the pick-off position thereof.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged top plan or sectional view on the line lll1 of Fig. 4, showing the heel feed holder and the pivoting jack in the pick-off position.

Fig. 18 is a perspectve view of the resilient backing pad for the endless belt and which shapes said belt according to the outer surface of the article to be given a surface finish.

Fig. 19 is a view showing the ratchet feed device for the backing belt constituting a, part of the support for the finishing belt.

Fig. 20 is a sectional'view on the line 20-23 of Fig. 21, showing particularly the resilient backing pad and backing belt and the floating carriage mechanism.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line 2I-2l of Fig. 4 showing the upper portion of the machine.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21, showing the floating carriage mechanism.

Fig. 23 is a sectional view on the line 23-23 of Fig. 21, showing the floating carriage mechanism.

Fig. 24 is a detached perspective view of the floating pad holder.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the actuator controlling rounding-in movement of the resilient pad.

Fig. 26 is an enlarged top plan view of the feed holder mechanism in pick-oil? position, which is the position of the holder mechanism when the jack removes or picks-off the work therefrom.

Fig. 2'7 is a front side elevation of the feed holder mechanism in the same position as in Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a sectional view on the line 23-23 of Fig. 26.

Fig. 29 is a sectional view on the line 23-23 of Fig. 27.

Fig. 30 is a sectional view on the line 30-33 of Fig. 27.

Fig. 31 is a front elevation of the feed holder at the hand feeding position.

Fig. 32 is a sectional view on the line 32-32 of Fig. 33 showing a portion of the feed holder mechanism.

Fig. 33 is a left-hand side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 31.

Fig. 34 is a sectional view on the line 34-34 of Fig. 26.

Fig. 35 is a sectional view on the line 35-35 of Fig. 33.

Fig. 36 is a sectional view on the line 36-36 of Fig. 27 showing details of the feed holder mechanism.

Fig. 37 is an active diagram showing different positions of one type of heel during rotation thereof in relation to the floating pad and the finishing belt.

Fig. 38 is a view showing another and improved form of gearing and cam mechanism for turning the work in coordination with the movement of the resilient pad and the continuously moving finishing belt.

Fig. 39 is a sectional view on the line 33-33 of Fig. 38.

Fig. 40 is a rear elevation of a resilient pad showing means for varying the contour of the effective surface thereof for shaping the continuously moving finishing belt in accordance with the different curvatures of the work.

Fig. 41 is a sectional view on the line li-ll of Fig. 40.

Fig. 42 is an active diagram in the manner of Fig. 3'! showing different positions of another type of heel or other article during complete rotation thereof about its longitudinal axis to present the entire outer surface thereof to the finishing belt.

Fig. 43 is a viewsimilar to Figs. '7 and 8 showing a construction iglturning the article to present the entire oute surface thereof to the finishing belt for surface finishing.

Fig. 44 is a perspective view showing a type of shoe heel which the mechanism of Fig. 43 is designed to support and turn to present the entire outer surface thereof to the finishing belt.

The entire operating mechanism of the machine is supported by the main frame i upon which a driving motor 2 is mounted. The belt 3 driven by the motor constantly rotates a shaft, supported at the upper end of the frame, when said motor is running. The shaft 4 has a pulley 6 attached thereto and engaged by a finishing belt 6 which also engages a lower pulley I supported near the lower end of the frame. The belt 6 may be a sanding or abrading belt, or any type of belt for forming a desired surface finish on part or all of the outer surface of the article to be surface finished. The belts 6 are removable and replaceable, so that any type of belt may be replaced by another of the same or'of different type. The pulleys 6 and I and the belt 6 are enclosed within a casing. One side of the casing comprises hinged doors 3 and 3 which may be closed for protective purposes and opened to afford access to the pulleys and the abrading or sanding belt. The interior of the casing may be provided with an upper partition i3 approximately along the adjacent edges of the doors 3 and 3, and a partition Ii in the lower end of the casing above the pulley 1. Thus. either door 3 or 3 may be opened to afford access to the pulley enclosed thereby; and, when both doors are closed, the belt 6 is covered and guarded. The door 3 also affords access to that part of the mechanism acting to conform the belt 6 to the contour and curvature of the wood heels being sanded by said belt (Fig. 4)

A carriage i2 is mounted for vertical sliding movements in the frame I. The carriage I2 is guided by the frame I (Fig. 21) and is reciprocated vertically by (intermittent rotation of a shaft I3 and attached crank ll connected with said frame i2 by a. link l5 (Figs. 2 and 3). The shaft i3 is operated intermittently and is rotated exactly or approximately one complete revolution at each operation thereof. Any suitable and known mechanism with known connections (not shown) may be used to rotate said shaft l3 in this manner, and to effect intermittent starting and stopping thereof. In this machine, the unoperated, which is to say the starting and stopping, position of the shaft i3 is that in which the carriage I2 is midway of the ends of its movements. A flexible connection l6 supported on rollers II has one end attached to the carriage i2 and its opposite end supporting a counterweight l3 to cooperate with the driven connections for operating the carriage l2 and to stabilize such operation.

A detent i3 (Figs. 4, 5 and 7) is mounted on a pivot 20 carried by a part 2| rigid with the carriage I2 so that, when said carriage is moved vertically, the detent I3 is also moved vertically. The detent I9 may be held in different adjusted positions about the pivot 23 by an adjusting screw 22. As before stated, the stopped or unoperated position of the carriage I2 is midway of the ends of its vertical movement, from which position it is moved upwardly to the upper end of its stroke, and thence downwardly to the lower end of its stroke, and thence upwardly to its unoperated position midway of the ends of its stroke. .Up-

ward movement of the carriage l2 causes the detent I9 to engage a roller 23 on the free end of an arm 24 attached to one end of a hub 25 rotative about a support 26 (Fig. 7). The work or heel holder frame 21 is attached to the hub 25 and movedtherebyfrom the starting or unoperated position shown in Fig. to the operated position shown in Fig. 4.

The work or heel holder comprises an arm 28 attached to the upper end member 29 of the swinging frame 21 and having a slot 28' in its end (Figs, 26, 27 and 31). The arm 28 constitutes an abutment for one end of the work, such as the top lift end of the heel 38 when the heel is placed in the holder preparatory for operation of the holder by the upwardly moving detent l9 as described. The rounded rear of the work such as the top lift end portion of the heel is received in a centering device comprising diverging parts 3| attached to the arm28. The engagement of the rounded top lift end portion of the heel with the parts 3| is shown sufficiently by the dotted outlines in Fig. 27. It is clear that the arm 28 functions as an abutment for the end of the work and that the parts 3| assist in locating the work properly in the holder for movement thereby to the jack so that the jack will pick off the work from the holder and turn the work properly for action of the finishing belt.

In a machine for surface finishing shoe heels, the holder also comprises mechanism for receiving the attaching end of the heel 38 and accurately locating said heel in proper position in the holder for movement thereby to the jack. As shown, said mechanism comprises a spring actuated u-pper lever arm 32 having an end portion 33 extending angularly therefrom, and a spring actuated lower lever arm 34 having a complementary angular end portion'35 adapted, in their idl or starting positions, to receive loosely between them and thereafter, when starting movement of the holder frame is initiated, to grip upon, the rounded attaching end portion of the heel 38. The two arms 32 and 34 are supported on pivots 36 in brackets 31 (Fig. 34) having swivel attachment to the outer ends of oppositely threaded screws 38 screwed into the opposite ends of a turn buckle 39 rotative in a support 40 rigidly secured to the frame part 29. A pair of diverging slightlyresilient arms 4| are attached to the frame part 29 beyond the heel engaging portions 33 and 35 of the arms 32 and 34 and are complementary to the parts 3| and receive and engage the rounded attaching end of the heel 38 beyond the spring actuated arms 32 and 34 having their parts 33 and 35, respectively, also engaging the attaching end of the heel. The parts 3| and the arms 4| cooperate to receive and engage the rounded opposite ends of the heel, leaving the spring actuated arms 32 and 34 free, after swinging movement of the holder frame 21 has been initiated, to engage and turn the heel to properly accurate position in connection with said parts 3| and 4|. It will be observed that the proper position of the heel in the holder is that in which the breast wall of the heel is forwardly beyond the parts 3| and 4| between which the rounded rear of the heel is received.

The outer ends of the levers 32 and 34 are slidingly engaged with actuating blocks 42 mounted on pivots 43 (Figs. 31 and 34). A double lazytongs device is pivoted to opposite ends of the blocks 42, the complementary links 44 of .sides of a. sliding sleeve '48.

the lazytongs being integrally connected by webs 45 to prevent relative dislocation. The links 44 at one end are mounted on a stationary pivot 46 on the rigid support 40, and the links at the opposite end of the lazytongs are mounted on pivots 41 projecting from diametrically opposite The sleeve 48 is mounted for sliding movements along the reduced rounded extended end 49 of the support 48 and is actuated toward the frame part 29 by a spring 50 compressed between the sleeve 48 and a nut 5| screwed on the part 49. In the idle or unoperated position of the frame 21, which is the position of said frame for receiving a heel, the rear end of the lower arm 34 rests upon a rigid support 5|, thereby causing the lazytongs device to .ncompress the spring 50 and to hold the ends 33 and 35 of the levers 32 and 34 spread apart to receive between them the attaching end of a heel. When the frame 21 moves from its idle or unoperated position, the spring 5|] operates to actuate the levers 32 and -34 in a manner to cause the curved ends 33 and 35 thereof to engage the sides of the attachin end portion of the heel and turn the heel accuratelyto proper position in the holder so that the breast wallof the heel faces in a general inward direction.

As before described, upward movement of the carriage |2 from its unoperated or starting position causes the detent l9 to engage the roller 23 and thereby move the frame 21 and the heel holding mechanism supported thereby inwardly to a position in which the heel 30 is removed from said mechanism. This inward movement of the frame 21 and heel holding mechanism is in opposition to a spring 52 (Figs. 33 and 35) which also acts to restore the frame 21 to its initial or starting position from which it was moved by the detent |9. The spring '52 i mounted on a sleeve 53 rigidly secured to th support 26. One end of the spring 52 is attached to the sleeve 53 by a fastener 54, and the other end of said spring is attached to the hub 25 by a fastener 55. When the carriage I2 starts its downward movement at the end of its upward stroke, the spring52 a c ts as an actuator to turn the hub 25 about the support 26 in a direction to move the frame 21 and the mechanism supported thereby to its initial or starting position in which said frame seats against a sleeve 56 adjustably secured on a support 51 rigid with the machine frame I (Figs. 32 and 33).

A frame 58 is mounted for sliding movements along a pair of posts '59'rigidly attached to an extension 60 of the hub 25. Springs 6| connect the frame 21 with the sliding frame 58 and constitute an actuator tending to move said frame 58 downwardly along the posts 59 to abutting contact with elastic cushions or shock absorbers 62 on the extensions 60. A bail comprising two arms 63 and a cooperating bail comprising two arms 64 have their respective lower ends connected with the frame 58 by pivots 65 (Figs. 33

and 36). A tie 66 is pivotally connected to and supported by the upper ends of the bails 63 and 64, thereby forming a swinging frame comprising said bails 63 and 64 and'the tie 66. A spring 61 connects the bail 63 with the frame 58 in a manner to actuate the frame of which the bail 63 is a part laterally toward the right as seen in Fig. 33. Extent of such lateral movement toward the right is limited by abutment of the upper portion of the bail 63 against the adjacent side of the frame 58. e

A plate as is attached to the upper side of the tie 88 by a clamping screw 88' whereby the plate 88 may be securedin different adjusted positions.

to accommodate the machine for heels of different sizes. A bracket 18 is secured to theplate 88 by a fastening screw H and supports an upthe attaching end of the heel and thereby prevents the heel from becoming dislocated during movement of the holder by the detent I8 acting against the roller 23, as before described. 'An angular spring attached to the arm 28 (Fig. 31) engages one corner at the breast wall of the heel near the top lift end and affirmatively cooperates with th parts 8|, 4|, the arms 88 and 35 and the spring actuated abutment 18 tolocate and hold the heel in proper position in the holder for engagement by the jack. The support 28 is a part of a frame 18 including the sleeve 88 mounted on the support 51. This frame may be adjusted and held in different angles of inclination from the support 51 by screws 11 held in brackets 18 attached to the frame I (Figs. 7 and 16) in order to locate the swinging heel holder in proper position to move the heel to the jack which removes the heel from the heel holder and turns the heel for operation of the abrading or sanding belt 8.

An angular bracket 18 constituting a support for the jack mechanism is attached to the sliding carriage I2 (Figs. 9, 10 and 11). A rod 88 (Figs. 11 and 13) is supported for turning movements in the upper part of the bracket 18 and has rigid with its inner end a head 8I formed with two integral spaced pointed pins or lugs 82 adapted to become embedded in the attaching end of the heel when the heel is moved by the holder inwardly in the manner already described. The outer end of the rod 88 is rigidly attached to an arm 88'which has rigid therewith an outwardly extended pin 84 supporting a roller 85 adapted to be moved into and out of a cam slot 88 (Fig. '7) formed in a rigid plate 81. An arm 88 is rigid with the pin 84 and supports a roller 88 adapted to be engaged in a long cam slot 88 formed in a rigid plate 8I.

In Fig. 7, the carriage I2 is at the end of its upward movement and the roller 85 is in the upper part of the cam 88. When the carriage I2 moves downwardly, the crank device comprising the rod 88, the arm 83, pin 84 and arm 88 will be oscillated slightly by the cam slot 88 during initial portion of the downward movement of the carriage I2. After the carriage I2 has moved downwardly a slight distance, the roller 88 will be engaged in the cam slot 88. as should be understood by reference to Fig. '7, and shortly thereafter the roller 85 is carried beyond the cam slot 88, leaving the cam slot 88 free to turnv the crank device and thereby turn the jack head 8|, which turns the wood heel supported thereby about its longitudinal axis. Still further downward movement engages the roller 88 in a cam slot 88' in a rigid plate 81' supported in the same vertical plane as the plate 81, and shortly thereafter the roller 88 leaves the cam slot 88, leaving the cam slot 88 and roller 85 free to turn further the jack rod 88 and thereby the heel 88 about its longitudinal axis causes the abrading or sanding belt to round or spoolone corner of the heel adjacent to the top lift end and continuously act upon the adjacent side, rear and opposite side and opposite corner of the heel to impart to said sides and back a smooth surface finish and to said last named corner a rounded spooled finish.

A slide 82 is supported by the rigid bracket 18 by pin and slot connection 88 and a similar pin and slot connection-84. A jack pin 85 is attached to the slide 82 and is moved thereby to engage in the center or vertical axis of the top lift end portion of the heel 88 when the holder moves the heel to position for engagement by the lack (Figs. 8 and 17). A spring 88 connects the pin 88 with the rigid bracket 18 and actuaies -said slide 82 in a direction to move the jack pin supported in the jack. This turning of the heel 15 toward the head 8|. Extent of such movement may be limited by the length-of the slots through which the pins 88 and 84 extend. The slide 82 is held. in its outward position in opposition to the spring 88 by a latch detent 81 attached to the pivot 88 carried by the bracket 18 and adapted to engage a shoulder v88 on the slide 82. A finger I88 attached to the pivot 88 at the opposite side of the bracket 18 from the latched detent 81 is actuated by a spring I8I to cause the latch 81 to engage the shoulder 88.

'At about the end of the upward movement of the carriage I2, the finger I88 engages an adjustable abutment I82 mounted in a rigid support I88 attached to the frame I, and said finger is thereby moved to turn the pivot 88 and thereby disengage the latch 81 from the shoulder 88. This occurs just at the time that the heel 88 is properly located for engagement by the jack pins 82 and 85. When the latch 81 is thus disengaged from the slide 82, the spring 88 immediately moves the slide 82 to engage the pin 85 in the vertical axis of the heel at the top lift end thereof, and this action embeds the two spaced pins 82in the attaching and of the heel. The heel is thus engaged in the jack preparatory for downward movement of the carriage I2 during which the jack is turned by the crank device (Fig. 13) operated by the cams 88, 88 and 88, as before described;

When the heel holder frame 21 is moved inwardly by the detent I8 operating against the roller 23 as before described, said holder frame is stopped in proper position relative to the jack, so that the jack pins 82 will engage properly in the attaching end of the heel at diametrically opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, and the jack pin 85 will engage in the top lift end of the heel at the vertical axis thereof by an adjustable stop I84 on the heel holder frame abutting against the bearing 88' for the rod 88. This occurs just before the latch 81 is released from the shoulder 88 by the abutment I82 and during the final portion of the upward movement of the carriage I2 to which the jack is attached. When thelatch 81 is released from the shoulder 88, the spring 88 immediately moves the slide 82 and thereby the pin 85 to engage said pin in the lift end of the heel and force the heel slightly in the opposite direction to engage the pins 82 in the attaching end of the heel.

As before stated, the springs 8| tend to move the frame 58 downwardly along the posts 58. When the frame 21 is in its unoperated position (Figs. 31 and 32) a roller I88 supported by said frame 58 is seated against a rigid cam I88 attached to the support 51, and said frame is thereby supported in its raised position with the abutment 13 in position to engage against the attaching end of any heel 30 placed in'the heel holder. A finger I01 projecting from the bail 63 engages a projection I08 rigid with the frame 21 when said frame 21 is moved inwardly as described a slight distance during which the inward movement of the roller I05 moves downwardly along the cam I06 to effect such engagement of the the finger I01 with the rigid projection I08. This latches the sliding frame 58 in its raised position and permits the spring 61 to hold the pivoted abutment 13 against the attaching end of the heel. At about the time the jack pins 82 and 95 are engaged in the opposite ends of the heel in the manner already described, the pivoted frame comprising the balls 63' and 64 is swung to the left as seen in Fig. 33 far enough to disengage the finger I01 from the rigid projection I08, thereby moving the abutment 13 out of engagement with the attaching end of the heel. When the finger I01 is disengaged from the projection I08, the springs 6| move the frame 58 along the posts 59 and into abutting contact with the cushions 62, thereby moving the abutment 13 laterally beyond the heel that is now engaged and held by the jack pins 82 and 95 (Fig. 17).

As before described, when the holder frame 21 having a heel 30 mounted thereon is moved inwardly by upward movement of the detent I 9 as described, the stop I04 on said frame 21 engages the bearing 80' for the rod 80 and said frame is thereby stopped in the exact position for proper engagement of th pin '82 and 95 with the attaching and top lift ends respectively of the heel 30. Immediately after the heel 30 has thus been located in proper position for engagement of the pins 82 and 95 therewith, the latch 91 is released from th shoulder 99 by the abutment I02 as described. When the latch 91 is released from the shoulder 99, the spring 96 instantly moves the slide 92, thereby moving the pin 95 into the slot 28 and into engagement with the top lift end. of the heel 30 and driving the heel 30 longitudinally of its axis a distance to engage the attaching end of said heel against the head BI and to embed the pins 82 in the attaching end of the heel. This movement of the heel 30 longitudinally toward the right and to the position shown in Fig. 9 causes the heel to move the abutment 13 laterally (toward the left as seen in Fig. 33), thereby swinging the frame comprising the balls 63 and 64 'far enough to disengage the finger I01 from the rigid projection I08. When the heel 30 is moved longitudinally in this way, the wide attaching end thereof slides along the angular portions 33 and 35 of the levers 32 and 38 which continue to hold the attaching end of the heel in substantially the same axial position during its sliding movement while the top liftend of the heel is substantially disengaged from the parts 3| and from the spring 15. The heel is now held in proper position and positively prevented from becoming dislocated by the pins 82 and 95 which are embedded in opposite ends of the heel. When the finger I01 is disengaged from the projection I08 by lateral swinging movement of the bail frame 63, 64, the springs 6| immediately retract to move the frame 58 along the posts 59, thereby removing ail pressure from against the attaching end of the heel by the abutment 13. When the abutment 13 is disengaged from the attaching end of the heel 30, the spring 61 retracts, thereby swinging the bail frame 63, '64 to position to place the finger I01 below the projection I08 at the lowest point where the frame 58 comes to a stop against the shock absorbers 62. As the carriage I2 descends and moves the detent I9 downwardly from the roller 23, the spring 52 raises or swings the carriage 21 upwardly and outwardly to its position against the sleeve 56. During such upward and outward movement of the frame 21 by the spring 52, the roller I05 rides along the cam I06 and thereby raises the frame 58 along the posts 59. While the frame 58 is being raised the finger I01 contacts the projection I08. $aid finger and projection are beveled, leaving the finger free to slide along the side of the projection and thereby swing the .bail frame 63, 64 laterally. When the finger I01 rises above the projection I08, said finger again becomes engaged upon said projection by action of the spring 61 in position to engage said projection I08 upon slight downward movement of the frame 58. Engagement of the finger I01 upon the projection I08 latches the-frame 58 in its raised position until said finger I01 is again released from the projection I08 'by longitudinal movement of the heel 30 by the jack pin 95, as described.

During downward movement of the carriage 12, the heel 30 is turned about its longitudinal axis to cause the abrading or sanding belt 6 to impart a smooth surface finish to the sides and rear of the heel and also to spool or round off the breast corners of the heel near the top lift end thereof. This turning movement is effected by the cam arm device (Fig. 13) and the cams 86, and 86' engaging the rollers 85, 89, and 85, successively, thereby turning the jack rod 80 as before described. After the heel has been spooled and surface finished and just before the carriage I2 reaches the end of its downward stroke, the slide 92 is moved longitudinally to release the heel from the jack pins 82 and 95. A restoring lever I09 is pivoted on the bracket 19 (Figs. 9, l0 and 12) and has a bifurcated end IIO engaging the pin or screw 94 attached to the slide 92 and operating through a complementary slot in the bracket 19. A roller I I I supported by the lever I09 engages a rigid cam II2 during the final portion of the downward movement of the carriage I2. The cam II2 against which the roller III operates swings the lever I09 to move the slide 92 in opposition to the spring 96 and to a position in which the latch 91 engages the shoulder 99, thereby holding the slide 92 in its retracted or outward position to receive another heel from the holder frame 21 during the next upward movement of the carriage I2. A pair of stripper fingers [I3 are attached to the bifurcated upper end of an upward- 1y extended arm II I integral with the inner end of the slide 92. These stripper fingers II3 are at 'opposite sides of the jack head 8|; and, when the slide 92 is moved outwardly by the lever I09, said fingers II 3 engage the attaching end of the heel 30 and push said heel away from and out of engagement with the pins 82. Outward movement of the slide 92 also moves the pin 95 through a stripper arm I I 5 rigid with the bracket 19 and thereby detaches the top lift end of the heel from said pin 95. Thus the heel is entirely detached from the jack and drops by gravity into an inclined chute II 6- attached to the bracket 19. The heel slides downwardly along the inclined chute II6 to a point of discharge.

discharge ends of said cylinders.

To stop the fram 21 positively and prevent said frame from following the Jack during downward movement thereof and prevent the parts 33 and 35 from contacting the abracling or sanding belt 8, a rigid abutment I I1 is attached to the frame I. This abutment leaves theframe 21 free to move to a position in which the stop I04 engages the bearing 80', but will engage the frame 21 and prevent the same from following the jack any substantial distance during down-' ward movement of the jack. This prevents the parts 33 and 35 from wearing or damaging the abrading or sanding belt, and leaves the spring 52 free to return the frame 21 to its initial or starting position against the sleeve 58 without restraint. The speed of such return movement of the frame 21 by the spring 52 is controlled by the speed of downward movement of the detent I9.

A number of air jets may be automatically directed against the heel 30 and against the Jack and the sanding belt during operation thereof in order to remove the abraded particles and to enable them to be withdrawn from the machine through a suction pipe II8 opening from the top of the casing in which the sanding belt operates. A rigid extension II9 from the bracket 19 is attached to the upper ends of a number of air pump cylinders I20 (Figs. 2, 4 and which are thereby reciprocated along their piston rods I2I and caused to function as air pumps in a manner well known. These air pumps are of known construction and operation, enclosing pump pistons (not shown) which, when reciprocated relatively within the cylinders I20, will elect air from the A tube I22 opens from the upper end of each of the cylinders I20, and said tubes open into discharge nozzles I23 rigid with the extension I I9. The ends of the nozzles I23 are directed generally toward the heel in the Jack, which is to say toward the jack and adjacent to the sanding belt 8. These jets of air are discharged durin downward movement of the Jack and heel and during the time that the heel is being abraded or sanded by the belt 5. The jets of air function to dislodge and cause the abraded particles to move upwardly and for the most part to be withdrawn from the machine through the suction pipe II8.

A frame I24 (Figs. 5, 14 and 21) has one end pivoted to the free ends of a pair of end pivot plates I25. These pivot plates are held in relatively rigid relationship by a tie-rod I28 passing through said plates and through an interposed sleeve I21 against which said plates are clamped by said tie-rod (Fig. 23). The ends of said pivot plates opposite from the ends to which the frame I24 is pivoted are connected by a pivot I28 with a bracket I29 mounted on a pivot I30 rigid with the vertically reciprocating carriage I2. Thus, the frame I24 is capable of movement about its supporting pivots I3I, securing said frame I24 to the end plates I25, and said plates I25 are capable of movement about their pivot I28, and the bracket I29 is capable of oscillation about its pivot I30.

A resilient backing pad is mounted on a pivot I32 (Figs. 18 and 21). The body I32 of said pad has on its rounded side that is toward the sanding belt 8 a resilient surface covering I33. The pivot I32 is mounted in a bracket I34 attached to the frame I24. An actuator for said pad comprises a bifurcated member I35 mounted on a pivot I38 supported by the bracket I34. A spring I31 on the pivot I38 and attached to the bracket I34 presses on end of the pad I32 toward the belt 8. The actuator I35 engages the pad I32 beyond the pivot I32 and, during reciprocation of the carriage I2, engages rigid cams I38 and thereby turns the pad I32 about the pivot I32 in opposition to the spring I31 to vary the contour of the adjacent portion of the belt 8.

The end of the frame I24 opposite from the pivots I3I is connected by a number of springs I39 with an arm I40 attached to the carriage I2 and by a spring I4I with an arm I42, also attached to the carriage I2. These springs I39 and HI function to hold rollers I43, I44 and I45 mounted on the frame I24 in contact with cam rails I48, I41 and I48, respectively. These cam rails along which said rollers operate will oscillate the frame I24 about its-pivots I3I and also impart more or less oscillating movements to the pivot end plates I25 and to the pivot device I29 to cause the curved padded surface of the pad device I32 to move to positions complementary to the curved surfaces of the heels operated against the sanding belt by the jack mechanism as before described.

A backing belt I49 is interposed between the elastic pad and the sanding belt 8. The backing belt I49 is of soft and pliable material, such as plush, and operates over an upper roller I50 and a lowerroller I5I and between the elastic pad and the sanding belt (Fig. 4). The rollers I50 and I5I are supported by the vertically reciproeating carriage I2 and are moved vertically with i gaging the ratchet wheel I52 (Figs. 5, 6 and 19).

At about the end of the downward movement of the carriage I2 the lever I54 engages andis operated by an adjustable abutment I58 to rotate the ratchet wheel I52 and thereby the roller I 5| 9. part of a revolution. This moves the belt I49 to bring other contacting portions of said belt between the elastic pad I32 and the sanding belt 8. During upward or return movement of the carriage I 2, the lever I54 is moved out of engagement with the abutment I58 and returns to initial unoperated position against a support I51. Reverse turning of the ratchet I52 is prevented by a spring detent I58;

The bracket I34 supports an adjustable abutment I59 for the body of the pad I32 to limit extent of turning movement of said pad by the spring I31 (Figs. 21 and 24). When the actuator I35 is beyond and out of engagement with the cams I38, the body of the pad I32 is engaged with the end of the abutment I59 and held thereby against further movement by the spring I31. One of the pivot end plates I25 is connected by a spring I with the bracket I29 in a manner to cooperate with the springs I39 and I to hold the pivotally connected parts comprising the frame I24 in proper relationship to press the pad I32 against the belt I49 and to cause the rollers I43, I44 and I45. to press against and operate properly along the cams I48, I41 and I48. These springs yield when the frame I 24 is oscillated laterally or moved longitudinally by the cams I48, I41 and I48 in coordination with the movement of the actuator I 35 by the cams I33. These oscillating movements of said parts oscillate the pad I32 to move the curved surfaces thereof in coordination with the complementary curved surfaces of the heel 36 during descent of the jack that supports and turns the heel in proper relationship to the belt 6.

An alternative form of mechanism for turning the jack rod 86 is shown in Figs, 38 and 39. As there shown, the cams. 86, 96 and 86 are displaced by a substituted cam plate I6I having an inclined cam slot I62 formed at its upper end with a quick turning cam portion I63 and at its lower end with a reverse quick turning cam portion I64. In this alternative form of mechanism, a pinion I65 is attached to the jack shaft 86 and meshes with a pinion I66 attached to a fixed stud shaft I61 supported by the bracket 19. An arm I68 attached to the pinion I66 on the shaft I61 supports a roller I69 engaged in the cam slot I62I63-I64. In the upper position of the carriage I2 that supports the jack, the roller I69 is engaged in the upper portion of the cam slot I62 beyond the quick turning portion I63.

Fig. 37 diagrammatically shows various positions of the heel in the jack, beginning with the position of the heel when it is first engaged in the jack and ending with the position of the heel after the surface finish has been formed, including the spooling positions of the heel and the discharge position of the heel from the jack.

The heel 36, when first engaged in the jack, is in approximately the position shown at A, in which the breast wall of the heel faces downwardly. During the short initial downward movement of the carriage'l2, the roller 85 operates in the cam 86, thereby turning the jack rod 86 which turns the heel 36 to the position shown at B. In this position, that breast wall corner of the heel which is adjacent to the belt 6 is spooled or. rounded for a short distance upwardly from the top lift end of the heel. During this initial downward movement, the actuator I35 engages and is operated by the cam I38 to move the pad I32 forwardly toward the heel, which movement causes the sanding belt 6 to operate only against and along that portion of the corner of the heel to be rounded or spooled. Further downward movement of the carriage I2 carries the actuator I35 beyond the upper cam I38, and this occurs when the roller 89 attached to the arm 88 enters and moves along the upper portion of the cam 96. The jack shaft 80 is then turned during further downward movement of the carriage I2 and by further downward movement of the roller 89 along the cam 96 to turn the jack shaft 86 and thereby turn the heel 36 along and through the positions C, D and E. During this movement the rollers I43, I44 and I45- operate along their cams I46, I41 and I48, respectively, and cooperate with the springs I39, MI and I66 to move the pad I32 and cause said pad to present surfaces thereof curving complementarily to the curved surfaces of the heel 36 along the sides and rear thereof. When the roller 85 enters the cam 86' (Fig. 8), the pad I32 is turned to the position F. At this time, the actuator I35 engages the lower cam I38 and, in cooperation with the springs I39, I and I66, shapes the belt 6 as required to spool or round the breast corner of the heel at the top lift end thereof, as shown at the position F, symmetrically with the opposite spooled and rounded corner. After a complete surface finish has been imparted to the heel and the corners have been spooled and rounded, the roller III engages and is operated by the cam II2. This operation of the lever I69 by the roller III operating against the cam II2 moves the slide 92 from the position shown in Fig. 9 to the position shown in Fig. 10, causing the strippers H3 and [I5 to disengage the heel from the pins 82 and 95, respectively, leaving the heel free to-drop, as shown at G. The released heel drops to the chute IIS and is discharged from the machine.

A modified form of pad for shaping the abrading or sanding belt 6 in conformity with the curvature of the sides and rear of the heel and the corners thereof to be rounded or spooled, is shown in Figs. 40 and 41. This pad comprises a back portion I16 mounted for oscillating movements on the pivot I32 supported by the bracket I34. A resilient or flexible surface covering I1I has its ends attached to the ends of the backing portion I16 by removable and replaceable fasteners I12 and is seated against an inner flexible or resilient and inelastic curved backing I13. A series of adjusting elements I14'for the backing I13 of the elastic surface covering I1I are screwed through the back I16 into abutting contact with the backing I13 to curve and sustain said backing I13 in selected arcs of curvatures, as should be understood by reference to Fig. 41. One end of the backing I13 is engaged with the fasteners I12 at one end of the pad and the other end of said backing I13 is free, thereby making it possible to vary the curvature of said backing by varying the positions of the adjusting elements I14. Thus, the curvature of the surface covering I1I may be changed in conformitywith the curvature of the sides and back of the heel 36, making it easily possible to impart a smooth surface finish to heels of different sizes and forms without changing the pads to provide different sizes of pads for different heels.

In operation, the motor 2 is caused to drive the pulley 5 and thereby the abrading or sanding belt 6, preferably at relatively high speed. The shaft I3 (Figs. 2 and 3) is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, thereby moving the carriage I2 upwardly from its stopped or unoperated position. During this upward movement of the carriage I2, the slide 92 is in its outward position (Fig. 10), permitting the heel to be moved by the holder frame 21 to a position between the pins 82 and 85 in which position the breast wall of the heel faces downwardly, as shown at the position A (Fig. 37). Slight further upward movement of the carriage I2 causes the abutment I62 (Fig. 9) to release the latch 91 from the shoulder 99. When the latch 91 is released from the shoulder 99, the spring 96 immediately moves the slide 92 in a direction to embed the pin 95 in the axis of the top lift end of the heel and to drive the heel longitudinally to embed the pins 82 in the attaching end of the heel. This longitudinal movement of the heel by the pin 95 moves the pivoted abutment 13 (Fig. 33) and thereby the pivoted supporting frame therefor laterally, releasing the finger I61 from the projection I68, at which time the springs 6| retract and move the frame 58 along the posts 59.

During the initial portion of the downward movement of the carriage I2, the cam arm (Fig. 13) or the cam actuated gear mechanism (Figs. 38 and 39) turns the jack rod 86 and the head 8I to which the pins 82 are attached, thereby turnpin 95 through the stripper H and out of engagement with the top lift end of the heel, and causes the stripper pins II3 to disengage the heel from the pins 82. This leaves the heel free actuator I35 operating against the cams I 38 and coordinated with the said actuation of the frame I24 forms the rounding in or spooling contour at the start and finish of the sanding or abrading operation. These coordinated and actuated motions all work in conformity with the curvature of the sides, back and rounding in or spooling of the heel 30. This oscillation of the backing pad against the backing belt I49 shapes the abrading or sanding belt 6 in conformity with the a curvature of the heel being operated upon by said belt.

The belt 6 may be an abrading or sanding belt,

or it may be a burnishing or polishing belt, or any other type of belt appropriate for providing a smooth surface finish upon a shoe heel or other article. Such belts are removable and replaceable and interchangeable so that the machine may be operated to abrade or sand the surfaces of the bodies of shoe heels or other articles. When an abrading or sanding belt is employed, final contour may be given the shoe heels or other articles, as by roundin or spooling portions of the corners thereof, as specifically explained. In such uses of the machine, the shoe heels or other articles are turned less than a complete revolution about their longitudinal axes during the time that they are operated upon by the belt 6. Different styles of shoe heels are now used, some of which are not characterized by corners at the side edges of a breast wall, but are rounded throughout their longitudinal outer surfaces. Such shoe heels or other articles having rounded outer surfaces around their longitudinal axes may be operated upon by this machine to provide smooth or polished surfaces. In such cases the shoe heels or other articles are turned approximately a complete revolution about their longitudinal axes so that the abrading or polishing belt, whichever is used, will operate upon the entire outer surfaces thereof during the turning of the shoe heels or other articles about their longitudinal axes.

A plate I15 (Fig. 43) may be used in substitution for the removable and replaceable plate I6I, and these plates are interchangeable one for the other, being secured to the frame of the machine by removable fasteners I16. The plate I15 is formed with an elongated cam slot I11 in which the roller I69 operates to turn the pinion I66 and thereby the pinion I65 and the jack shaft 69 at least one complete revolution during movement of the roller I69 along the cam slot I11 from the upper end to the lower end thereof.

A shoe heel I 19 having a, continuous outer sur face capable of being surface finished by a complete revolution thereof about its longitudinal axis by rotation of the shaft 89 as above described, is shown in Fig. 44. This shoe heel may 2,359,488 of the lever I09 moves the slide 92, retracting the be placed in the holder frame and adjusted therein in the same manner as the heel 30. Since the heel I16 does not include the forward projection at the attaching end of the heel, and does not require spooling or rounding of the corners at the side edges of the breast wall, said heel I19 may be turned completely about its longitudinal 7 axis, and the entire outer surface thereof around said axis may be given a surface finish either by an abrading or sanding belt before the heel is covered; or after the heel is provided with an enclosing cover, said cover may be burnished or polished or surface finished by an appropriate belt provided for that purpose. To adapt the machine for these varied uses, it is only necessary to provide interchangeable plates I6l and I15 having appropriate cam slots formed therein for imparting the degree of turning movement required to the shoe heel or article mounted in the jack, in order to finish or polish any portion of the outer surface thereof. The shoe heel I18 shown in Fig. 44 is enclosed by an attached cover I19 which may be finished or polished by an appropriate belt6 after the body of the heel has been completed.

From the foregoing, it'should be apparent that this invention attains all of its intended objects and purposes by novel mechanism arranged and coordinated in a cooperative manner to provide smooth surface finishes on shoe heel or other articles of different sizes and types. The cooperating mechanisms may be properly adjusted and thereafter operated in proper sequence and in proper coordination for this purpose. It is apparent that the invention may be varied in other particulars than those specifically defined herein and within equivalent limits without departures from the nature and principle of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A surface finishing machine comprising a movable finishing belt, mechanism for clampingly engaging opposite ends of and positively turning an article about a predetermined axis for operation of said belt on the surface of said article around said axis, a device for varying the transverse contour of the belt complementary to the longitudinal contour of the article, a device for holding the article in position for delivery to said mechanism, and means operated-in timed relationship with the operation of said mechanism for moving said device to deliver an article to said mechanism in a. predetermined position about said axis for rotation about said axis, as aforesaid.

2. A surface finishing machine comprising a movable finishing belt, mechanism cooperating with said belt to support and move longitudinally of the belt an article for operation of said belt on the surface thereof during said movement, means operated in timed relationship with the operation of said mechanism for delivering articles to said mechanism in predetermined positions about their axes for rotation about said axes, means for positively rotating the article during operation of the finishing belt on the heel, a device for delivering a shoe heel to said jack in a predetermined position about its longitudinal axis, mechanism for moving the Jack parallel with the movement of said belt from and to a stationary and heel receiving position, means for positively turning the heel while it is supported by the jack and during operation of the belt on the heel to provide a surface finish throughout the sides and rear of the heel, and mechanism for causing the belt to operate against the forward corners of the heel at the breast wall thereof to spool or round said corners a desired distance from the top lift end of the heel.

4. A surface finishing machine comprising a continuously moving finishing belt, a reciprocating carriage, mechanism for reciprocating said carriage parallel with the movement of the belt, a jack device supported by said carriage for holding a shoe heel against the belt, mechanism for placing a heel in said jack device in a predetermined position about the vertical axis of said heel preparatory for movement of said jack device by said carriage, mechanism for positively turning said jack device during movement of said carriage to present successively one side, the rear and the other side of the heel against the belt for finishing operation of said belt, and mechanism for shaping the belt in accordance with the adjacent contour of the heel mounted in the jack device.

5. A surface finishing machine comprising a continuously moving finishing belt, a reciprocating carriage, mechanism for reciprocating said carriage parallel with the movement of said belt, a jack device supported by said carriage for engaging and holding a shoe heel for operation of said belt thereon, mechanism for placing a heel in said jack device in a predetermined position about the vertical axis of said heel, and mechanism for positivelyturning the heel in the jack device to successive positions for said belt to spool one corner of the heel adjacent to the-top lift end thereof and to form a surface finish along one side, the rear and the opposite side of the heel and to spool the opposite corner of the heel adjacent to the top lift end thereof symmetrically with said first corner during continuous movement of said carriage.

6 A surface finishing machine comprising a continuously moving finishing belt, a reciprocating carriage, a jack device supported by said carriage for engaging and holding a. shoe heel for operation of said belt thereon, mechanism for placing a heel in a predetermined position in said jack device, mechanism for turning the heel in the jack device to successive positions for said belt to spool one corner of the heel adjacent to the top lift end thereof to form a surface finish along one side, the rear and the opposite side of the heel and to spool the opposite corner of the heel adjacent to the top lift end thereof symmetrically with said first corner during continuous movement of said carriage, and mechanism supported by said carriage for contouring said belt during movement of said carriage as required to operate on the heel, as aforesaid.

'7. A surface finishing machine comprising an endless finishing belt, mechanism for continuously moving said belt, a jack device for holding a shoe heel against said belt, mechanism for reciprocating said jack device bodily rectilinearly in one direction from a definite starting position and then in the opposite direction along the same general plane across and beyond said starting position to a limit of movement and then again to said starting position, means for controlling effective action of said belt on' the heel in said jack device during a portion of said movements and for contouring said belt according to the contour of the heel, and means for turning the heel to present the entire side and rear surfaces thereof to the belt for action thereof on the heel during the time that the heel is engaged and moved by the jack device as aforesaid.

8. A surface finishing machine comprising an endless finishing belt, mechanism for continuously moving said belt, a jack device for holding a shoe heel against said belt, mechanism for reciprocating said jack device in a single plane bodily in one direction from a definite starting position and then in the opposite direction in the same general plane across and beyond said starting position to a limit of movement and then again in said plane to said starting position, means for controlling effective action of said belt on the heel in said jack device during a portion of said movements and for contouring said belt transversely according to the longitudinal contour of the heel, means for turning and controlling the heel to present the entire side and rear surfaces thereof only to the belt for sanding action on the heel during the time that the heel is engaged by the jack device, and means for releasing the jack device from the heel at about v said limit of movement of said jack device.

9. A surface finishing machine comprising a continuously moving finishing belt, a carriage having a definite starting position, mechanism for reciprocating said carriage in a single plane in one direction from said starting position to a limit of movement and thence in the opposite direction across said starting position to another limit of movement and thence back to said starting position, a jack device supported and moved bodily by said carriage, mechanism for placinga shoe heel in said jack device in a definite predetermined position about the vertical axis of said heel for action of said belt on said heel during first and second movements of said carriage, means for operating said jack device to engage said heel, mechanism for rotating said heel to present first one side and then the rear and then the other side only of the heel against said belt, and means for stripping the heel from the jack device at about said second limitof movement of said carriage.

10. A surface finishing machine comprising an endless finishing belt, mechanism for continuously operating said belt, a reciprocating carriage, a jack device mounted in said carriage for movement adjacent to one side of said belt, means for holding a shoe heel in said jack device, mechanism for moving said carriage and thereby said jack device in one direction from a definite starting position to a limit of movement and thence in the opposite direction across said starting position to another limit of movement and thence back to said starting position, mechanism for turning the heel in said jack device during said first and second movements of said carriage to cause said belt first to finish one corner of the heel and then to impart a surface finish to one side, to the rear and to the opposite side of the heel successively and then to finish the opposite corner of the heel, and mechanism for stripping the heel from said jack devices at about said second limit of movement of said carriage. 

